Police are urging local tradespeople to increase security after a targeted series of thefts from work vehicles saw thousands of dollars worth of equipment stolen in the Brookvale area.
Targeted Attacks on Work Utes
The warning follows several break-ins that occurred between Sunday evening, 15 June 2025, and Monday morning, 16 June 2025. During this period, thieves targeted three separate commercial vehicles parked on Consul Road, Old Pittwater Road, and Funda Place. The offenders stole power tools, including drills and nail guns, with an estimated total value of around $15,000.
In a related incident in the neighbouring suburb of Dee Why, a family-run business suffered an even greater loss when their entire work ute was stolen from Whaddon Street. The family, who have four young children, stated that the return of their vehicle is crucial for their livelihood.
Police Urge Proactive Security Measures
Authorities believe the stolen tools are likely to be sold through online trading platforms and are advising the community to be watchful for suspicious listings.
To combat these thefts and improve the chances of recovery, police are encouraging all tool owners to take simple but effective preventative steps. They recommend recording the serial numbers of all valuable equipment. As an alternative, owners can permanently mark their tools by engraving their driver’s licence number on them, as this provides a unique and lifelong identifier that can help police return recovered items to their rightful owner.
Community Support Available
To assist residents in securing their property, Dee Why Police Station is making an engraver available for public use. This initiative allows tradespeople and other community members to easily mark their valuables, making them less attractive to thieves and easier to identify if found.
Published Date 03-July-2025
